AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE : NEW FACILITIES
Arrupe Hall Merion Station , PA Moto Designshop
Nic LeHoux
St . Joseph ’ s University sought to centralize the living spaces for community priests in a way that encouraged interaction and communing with each other and also wanted to design a truly enriching architectural experience .
The creative catalyst for Arrupe Hall was the Gregorian calendar , gifted to civilization by the Jesuit priest , astronomer , and mathematician Christopher Clavius in the late 16th century . This abstract conceptual driver is most apparent in the chapel . Its curving form and patterned façade is a calculated geometric expression of the transition to the Gregorian calendar over the last 500 years . A thin masonry screen wraps the chapel like a veil , diffusing the light throughout the space . Each brick is a consistent unit of construction that represents a consistent unit of time . The meaning and materials work in concert to give the structure a human scale while being a true manifestation of Jesuit identity .
Arrupe Hall is a community building , a place for living , learning , working , and worshipping . A home for Jesuits and a hub for apostolic life in Philadelphia , the building fosters connections and collaboration across all city ministries . While the design draws on the massing , materials , and scale of the surrounding buildings , it introduces a compelling architectural vocabulary that reflects Jesuit ideals and the university ’ s whole-person educational model . Forming a cohesive whole are individual elements including shared community spaces , private living quarters , and a chapel .
JURY COMMENTS : The chapel is a remarkable space , and its use of light as incorporated into the space ’ s geometry is poetic . Detailing in the central chandelier is exquisite . This chapel takes its place in the great tradition of campus sacred space as seen on such campuses as MIT .
AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE : RESTORATION
Anice Hoachlander
US Naval Academy Chapel Dome Rehabilitation Annapolis , MD BELL Architects , PC
The Naval Academy Chapel within the National Historic Landmark District lies in the center of the Navy ’ s Beaux Arts campus in Annapolis , Maryland . Designed by Ernest Flagg and built in 1908 , the original terra-cotta dome was altered in 1929 and replaced with ornamental copper and further expanded by Paul Cret in the 1930s .
The building has had chronic water infiltration , masonry staining , and associated deterioration for over 100 years . A team
came together to guide upgrades consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act and to rehabilitate the building envelope , including roofing , windows , skylights , and brick , terra-cotta , and granite masonry . After conducting a detailed , digitized survey , the team submitted three scenarios for the ornamental copper : repair , partial replacement , and full replacement . Ultimately , the Navy opted for a complete replacement .
Due to the historic importance of the chapel , the project included major reviews throughout pre-design , design , and construction . Masonry cleaning , repointing , and rebuilding were guided by the architectural conservator ’ s analysis . The team rebuilt brick , terra-cotta , and granite parapets with throughwall flashing and detailed specifications that were implemented to reduce staining , mold , and mildew on interior surfaces . They replicated ornamental metalwork for the dome , including the lantern . The gilding of the copper lantern continues to shine , while the dome develops a patina over time . Protective exterior storm windows were installed at stained-glass windows . The team used a checklist to maximize recovered materials and recycled demolition debris as much as possible .
JURY COMMENTS : This project is a great technical feat in the tradition of the original design . The skill level in the construction is very high and appropriate for this historic building . The insertion of a new safety parapet is inspired and fits well with the existing overall design . It also provides accessibility to experience the dome .
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